Top 10 Cleantech Cluster Organizations for 2010

There is no doubt that cleantech and renewable energy related sectors will continue to accelerate into 2010 and beyond. Driven by significant public policy, economic stimuli and incentive initiatives, several regions are developing fast growing cleantech clusters. Although using a fairly loose definition of clusters, Sustainable World Capital (SWC) a cleantech advisory firm recently developed a top-ten list of global cleantech clusters to watch. The top 5 clusters are according to SWC:

1. Austria Eco World Styria (Austria)
2. The New England Clean Energy Council (USA)
3. Finnish Cleantech Cluster (Finland)
4. MaRS Cleantech (Canada)
5. Copenhagen Cleantech Cluster (Denmark)

The entire list, and more details published at Cleantech Grop LLC’s Web site

City of Iksan, South Korea to Develop Food Cluster With Help From Europe

The European Union Chamber of Commerce in Korea (EUCCK) earlier this month signed a memorandum of understanding with representatives from the city of Iksan, in the North Jeolla Province to build a food cluster in the city.

Under the agreement, both the EUCCK and Iksan will attempt to attract food companies and research institutes from both at home and abroad. In particular, European firms are major targets. Iksan is already contemplating how to best market the cluster internationally, and is planning to have a cluster pavilion at SIAL France 2010 Food Expo

Acknowledging Europe’s increasingly competitive food processing and food production industry, and the continent’s track record in developing successful clusters, Ikan has developed a plan to build what they refer to a “Foodopolis”. This will be a comprehensive food complex, involving literally everything needed by the food industry.

EUCCK will act as an outreach to European companies looking to establish partnerships or operations in South Korea. The organization has a significant track record in attracting companies to Korea – recently Danone invested in Muju, near Iksan.

French Cluster Hosts Taste – Nutrition – Health International Congress

The French Health and Nutrition cluster, Vitagora is once again hosting its annual conference aimed at companies, R&D organizations and  other stakeholders in the food, health and nutrition segment. The conference finds place in Dijon, France – the home of Vitagora Cluster March 23 and 24th.

Vitagora is rapidly building a reputation as one of the leading food and nutrition clusters in world. Over the past year, the cluster management has hosted and organized several international in and outbound missions to help its members create collaborative opportunities and partnerships.

President Obama Asking for Funding for Clusters

For the fiscal year 2011 budget, President Obama’s administration is requesting funding for several programs to support regional innovation clusters.

In previous years, US federal support for cluster development has traditionally been channeled through the Commerce Department’sEconomic Development Administration. This budget however, recognize the importance of “competitive, high-performing regional economies are essential to national growth”.

Also, by inflating the amount for regional cluster development, as well as engaging more federal delivery systems for funding , the Obama Administration increasingly is recognizing the importance of a bottoms-up approach. Some highlights to the FY2011 budget are:

• The EDA’s proposed $75 million Regional Innovation Clusters program would provide regional planning and matching grants focused on leveraging regions’ competitive strengths to boost job creation and economic growth.
• The Small Business Administration would support EDA’s cluster effort by directing a proposed $11 million toward promoting greater small business participation in regional clusters by better coordinating its resources for business counseling, training, and mentor-protégé partnerships
• The Department of Labor (DOL) would use its newly proposed Workforce Innovation Fund (of up to an estimated $108 million) to help ensure that the workforce development system also aligns with regional cluster growth by facilitating regional collaboration among training and employment services providers and stronger linkages with employers so that worker training leads to good jobs
• The Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) budget request calls for a Regional Innovation Initiative to align federal resources to promote more economic opportunities in rural communities and have greater regional impact. To support this approach, USDA plans to set-aside roughly 5 percent of the funding from approximately 20 existing programs and allocate these funds competitively among regional pilot projects tailored to local needs and opportunities.

More information: The Brookings Institution

GPI: Taking the Bull by the Horn

Guelph Partnership for Innovation (GPI) was formed in May 2002 under the objective of bringing together the life science and agri-food companies in Guelph in order to facilitate information sharing and cluster development. Key stakeholders combined with private-sector businesses and community organizations currently make up the Board of Directors of GPI. GPI is primarily governed by business (70% of voting directors are from business).

At its inception in 2002 GPI filled a prominent void in the Guelph life science and agri-food cluster community. Through its alliances with the Guelph Chamber of Commerce and the City of Guelph, GPI events quickly gained a reputation as the place to meet and network.

GPI two main focus areas are:  Cluster Development and Entrepreneur Development. Secondary focus areas include marketing and promotion of the cluster, technology assessment, mentor network and bioproducts support.

Since its inception, GPI has managed to take the position as one of the leading Agribio clusters in the world.  The cluster offers its stakeholders a number of educational and networking events, and the cluster management is busy marketing GPI and its resources.

GPI is a good example of how focus and persistance can help grow a niche cluster. More information: GPI

Alberta’s ‘Heartland’ set for chemical processing industry cluster

The province of Alberta (Canada), has long enjoyed the wealth created as a result of the oil sands reserve. During the past few years, there has been an ongoing debate of how to also best benefit from the processing and value-add of the bitumen.

The provincial government are currently considering several proposals with long-term plans for an integrated cluster of chemical industries. More info

Industry Cluster Development In Remote Regions: Desert Knowledge Australia

Desert Knowledge Australia is an organization dedicated to drive and support “the know-how, ideas, innovations and perspectives of that Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people of the Australian desert”  Australian Desert has posted two videos that provide insight into two of the organization’s cluster development initiatives.

The video from Desert Knowledge Australia Mining Services Network, shows how a network of small and medium sized companies in a remote regions is working together to jointly create a better offering to the major mining and metal companies operating in the area.

The agri-food cluster Bush Products and Local Foods Network has developed a video that shows the dynamics of the clusters, as well as provides testimonials from the members about their experiences and the benefits of being apart of the network.